It all began in the year 2016. I was at the launch of the eighth generation Volkswagen Passat, and during the launch sequence, as I saw multiple Passats whizzing by - as if dancing together, one colour clearly stood out for me, the Crimson Red. I was mesmerised by how the car glistened under the spotlight when it took centre stage. Granted, I had seen the car prior to the launch, but not the one in that metallic shade of crimson.

And so, on that fateful night in November, my love affair with the Passat began.

From then on, and right till my eventual purchase (we will get to that in a bit), I was lucky enough to be able to drive the Passat extensively. It was usually a company car, and occasions included plant visits in Pekan and for meetings in Klang Valley. With its clean lines and solid stance, it is such an elegant vehicle. I was enormously impressed with how quiet and impeccably solid it felt. Although its footprint is considerably large, the car felt nimble and was easy to drive. And its interior - even for a 6-footer like me, there was space for miles!

I had previously relied on public transportation, but the route from my home to the office was not reliable - so this was a major consideration for me in purchasing a new car. I decided to take the plunge, and weeks later, became the proud owner of a brand-new Passat 1.8 TSI Comfort Line … in Crimson Red (of course!)

The dealer did an amazing job to make sure my car was in perfect condition, and also made it easy for me to register the same digits that has run in my family since the 90s for the number plate. I was overjoyed. It was an indescribable feeling, and I spent the weekend devouring the owner's manual page by page and going through every menu, settings, controls, and features in the car.

And speaking of family, I knew that my achievements would not have been possible without my parents, so I requested for my mother to bless my "Crimson" instead of having it done at the temple.

Fast forward to 2021, I've covered almost 35,000km in my Passat, and what a ride it has been. I feel at home behind the wheel, thanks to its sumptuous leather seats (with massage function for the driver!) and well-designed ergonomic controls. And with 1.8TSI engine producing 180PS/250Nm paired to the super smooth 7-speed DSG, highway cruising in the Passat is an absolute pleasure.

I have plenty of great memories in the car - in 2019, I had the honour of driving my brother and his wife to their wedding and had my Passat as the designated wedding chariot. I've also gone on weekend drives and numerous trips with my parents and family all over the country. One of most memorable journeys was driving from Penang Island back to Kuala Lumpur. We left at 9am, did one fuel stop, and were home in time for lunch - with 35% of fuel left in the tank! This is something that can't be beaten by many of the Passat's peers today.

Till today, every time I walk up to my car and see its exterior lights automatically switching on when I unlock (as if in greeting) - then getting in, starting up and connecting my phone to Spotify via Apple Car Play or Android Auto … all this gives me a sense of peace, and pride.

My Passat isn't just my "partner in crime", it is one of the most satisfying purchases in my life. So if you're on the lookout for a sedan unlike any other, I can assure you - you won't be disappointed.